It’s been a tough week all around for my family and me. (Skip this paragraph if you’re grossed out by medical details…) A couple people in the home had some sort of bug that included lots of vomiting. We had a trip to the ER not related to that, missed hours at work for both Nikki and me, just all sorts of yucky stuff all around.

This afternoon I was scheduled to lead a service at a local nursing home and wasn’t really feeling too excited about attending at all. So when times get tough, the sermon needs to get good.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I usually preach what I need to hear and let the rest of you eavesdrop. Today that was especially necessary.

I found an old sermon on hope, especially when you’re discouraged. It’s hit home for me and I figured if I shared it with others I might actually begin to believe it myself.

I won’t inflict all the details of the sermon on you here, but it is an amazing thing how sharing God’s Word with others can recalibrate my life. I think that’s why my favorite Bible verse is Philemon 1:6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Thank God that he is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit as Psalm 34 reminds us.

I also found myself humming this old song by one of my favorite singers Bebo Norman. Ignore the style of the mid-90s video link above and check out some of these words:

I’ve got a little hope in my pocket, I want to share a bit with you Just be careful that you don’t drop it, But don’t worry if you do ‘Cause I got broken down inside me, And I might just need some help But I will get by

And I’ve got demons in my history, Got bone beneath my skin But I’ve been taken by a mystery, Yes, I’ve been taken in And sometimes voices down inside me Try to fight me for myself I will get by